Operating mechanism for washing-machines.



J. E. KELLY. OPERATING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, I912.

Patented May 4, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET s WI/Imam THE NORRIS PETERS CD.. PHOTOLITHQ. WASHINGTON, D. C

J. E. KELLY.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 19 12.

1,]. 38,487. Patented May 4, 1915.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. F/ 6. 5

HE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHING mu. 0 r".

JAMES E. KELLY, OF MASON CITY,IOWA.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR WASHING-MACHINES. v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1915.

Application filed. July 29, 1912. Serial No. 712,161.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES E. KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mason City, in the county of Oerro Gordo and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Mechanism for lVashing-Machines; and 1 do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable Others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines.

One object of the invention is to provide a washing machine having an improved construction and arrangement of operating mechanism whereby the clothes rubber of the machine is automatically actuated to thoroughly wash the clothes.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view partly in section of one side of my improved washing machine; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the opposite side; Fig. 3 is a side view taken at right angles to Figs. 1 and 2, and with parts broken away and in section; Fig. 4 is atop plan view.

My improved washing machine comprises a body or tub 1, which is supported at a suitable elevation upon legs 2 and is provided with a suitably constructed and arranged cover 3. Revolubly mounted in the center of the cover 3 and projecting downwardly a suitable distance in the tub is a rubber supporting and operating shaft 4 on which is slidably keyed a clothes rubber 5 consisting of a head 6 having on its lower side a series of clothes engaging studs 7 which. pro: ject from the head at a suitable angle, as shown, for properly engaging and agitating or rubbing the clothes in the tub 1 of the machine.

Keyed to the upper end of the rubber operating shaft 4 is a spur gear pinion 8, and secured to the upper side of the cover 3 is a combined gear casing and rack bar guide 9. The casing 9 is preferably of frusto-conical shape, and has in its upper end a threadedpassage 10 with which is en-v gaged a shaft bearing screw 11 provided with a pointed or conical end which engages the upper end of the rubber operating shaft 4 and holds the latter down in operative position in the cover of the machine. The screw 11 is provided with a locking nut 12 whereby the same is lockedin its adjusted positions. In one side of the casing 9 is formed a guide passage 13 with which is slidably engaged a rack bar 14, the teeth of which are adapted to engage the pinion 8 on the upper end of the rubber shaft 4 whereby the pinion is driven first in one direction and then the other, and a corresponding movement thereby imparted to the rubber. The rack bar 14 projects across the top or cover of the machine and extends a short distance beyond one side thereof, and is pivotally connected at its end to a vertical rocker arm or lever 15 which is pivoted intermediate its ends on a lever supporting bracket 16 secured to the adjacent side of the tub or body 1 of the machine. The

lower end of the rocker arm or lever 15 is connected to any operating mechanism.

The operating mechanism shown comprises a spring motor supported in a frame 17 secured to the tub legs beneath the tub 1. The motor consists of a main drive shaft 18 mounted through the frame, at one side thereof, and having a coiled spring 19 mounted at one end, the opposite end having a rewinding mechanism 37 with a removable operating arm 38, attached thereto, a main driving gear 20 mounted on the driving shaft 18 near the coiled spring 19, and operatively connected by multiplying and power transmitting gears to a counter shaft 26 at the other end of the frame 17. On one end of the counter shaft is mounted a crank disk 27, while its opposite end carries a fly wheel 80. Eccentrically mounted at one end, on the outer surface of the disk 27 is a pitman rod 29, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to the lower end of the rocker arm or lever 15; whereby the latter is actuated to reciprocate the rack bar 14, when the spring 19 drives the shaft 18 to set in motion the train of gears and the counter shaft 26 and disk 27 operatively connected therewith.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

An operating mechanism comprising a horizontal mounting plate having therethrough a vertical opening, a vertically disposed shaft with its upper end rounded and projecting through said opening, a pinion fixed on the upper end of said shaft and resting on the top of the mounting plate to hold said shaft against downward movement, a frusto-conical shaped casing arranged over said pinion, said casing having a fiat top with a centrally disposed screwthreaded opening through said top, and two transverse openings in'the sides of said casing near its bottom, said transverse openings being. opposite each other and at a point to one side of the center of said casing, the lower portion of the inner wall of the casing at the shortest distance between the two openings being vertical to form a flat guide surface on one side through said casing, said casing having an apertured annular attaching flange formed integral with its bottom and resting flush against the up per face of the mounting plate, the top of said flange being flush with the bottom walls of the opposite openings in the casing, a bearing screw in the threaded opening in Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the the casing and arranged in vertical alinement with the vertical shaft thereunder,

said screw having at its top an enlarged head and at its lower end a point adapted to rest upon the rounded top of said shaft, a locking nut on said screw to lock the same in its adjusted position, a rack bar passed through the opposing openings in the sides of the casing and to operatively engage the pinion, the outer side edge of said bar being adapted to slidably engage the said flat inner wall of said casing, and the bottom of said bar being adapted to slide on the said flange, and means to operate said rack bar.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES E. KELLY. Witnesses:

T. G. MODERMOTT, WILLIAM WETTLETON.

Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

